1862 State of the Union Address

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In 1862, Abraham Lincoln used his annual address delivered in writing to Congress to make a poignant connection between the preservation of the Union and the abolition of slavery. "Without slavery the rebellion could never have existed; without slavery it could not continue," Lincoln argued. Read the entire 1862 address here.

In 1862, Abraham Lincoln used his annual address delivered in writing to Congress to make a poignant connection between the preservation of the Union and the abolition of slavery. "Without slavery the rebellion could never have existed; without slavery it could not continue," Lincoln argued. Read the entire 1862 address here. (Getty Images)

In 1862, Abraham Lincoln used his annual address delivered in writing to Congress to make a poignant connection between the preservation of the Union and the abolition of slavery. "Without slavery the rebellion could never have existed; without slavery it could not continue," Lincoln argued. Read the entire 1862 address here.